Wire screen panel and strap construction for purses, belts and the like



y 19, 1964 M. E. STINES Y 3,133,576

WIRE SCREEN PANEL AND STRAP CONSTRUCTION FOR PURSES, BELTS AND THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 25, 1960 INVENTOR.

MILLIE E. STlNES BY mw1x& 14H

M. E. STINES WIRE SCREEN PANEL AND STRAP CONSTRUCTION May 19, 1964 FOR PURSES, BELTS AND THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 25, 1960 Fig. 5

E MN T V S m. E m. L m M BY jaw-x & aunt Fig. .8

United States Patent The present invention relates generally to decorative panels and more particularly to wire screen panel and strap construction for purses, belts and the like.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a v wire screen panel of novel construction suitable for incorporation into purses, belts and similar articles, the panel having bound and protected edges which are easily joined to form composite structures.

Another object of this invention is to provide a panel structure in which the edges of the wire screen are protected by dipping or otherwise coating the edges in rubber or plastic material, in addition to tape binding thereof, so that the panel is suitable for use as a handle or belt without danger of injury by the cut ends of Wire.

Another object of this invention is to provide a panel structure to which decorative strips or other elements may be applied as needed, the open weave of conventional wire screen being ideal for attachment and assembly of various parts by ordinary stitching, either manually or by machine.

A further object of this invention is to provide a panel structure having sufficient rigidity for direct attachment of catches, hinges or other fixtures, yet is reasonably flexible for easy handling and which can be quickly reformed to its original shape if inadvertently deformed.

Finally, it is an object to provide a wire screen panel construction of the aforementioned character which is simple and convenient to make and use and which will give generally efiicient and durable service.

With these and other objects definitely in view, this invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of elements and portions, as will be hereinafter fully described in the specification, particularly pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the drawings which form a material part of this disclosure, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation view of a purse utilizing the panel structure;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional View taken on the line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of the purse;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 55 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 6--6 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 7 is a side elevation View of a belt utilizing the panel structure;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional View taken on the line 88 of FIGURE 7; and

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of FIGURE 7.

Similar characters of reference indicate similar or identical elements and portions throughout the specification and throughout the views of the drawings.

Referring now to FIGURES 1-6 of the drawings, a purse 10 is illustrated as an example of the assembly of several panels into a functional structure, said purse being made from three panels of wire screen material, a strap panel 12, a body panel 14 and a lid panel 16. The strap panel 12 comprises an elongated, parallel edged handle portion 18 at each end of which is an end panel 20, said end panels and handle portion being cut from a unitary piece of Wire screen. While this unitaryconstruction is desirable for strength and simplicity, it should be understood that the handle portion may be made and attached separately if desired. Each longitudinal edge of the handle portion 18 is dipped in rubber or plastic material to enclose the wire screen ends in a protective sheath, indicated at 22 in FIGURE 6, the edges then being covered by folded bias tape or edge binding 24, which is secured by stitching 26. For decorative purposes, the outer face of the handle portion 18 may be covered by a decorative strip 28 secured by the stitching 26.

The body panel 14 is cut from a large piece of wire screen and is folded to form a pouch-like body, the exact shape being a matter of choice, either rectangular, elliptical, or the tapered configuration as illustrated in FIG- URE L The end panels 243 are shaped to hold the ends of the body panel 14 in the required contour to provide a generally rigid, open body. The body panel 14 is fitted with an inner lining 30 of cloth, or other suitable material, which is cut and assembled to fit closely into the formed body, said lining having an outwardly folded upper edge 32 which overlaps and encloses the upper edge of said body panel. For rigidity, the upper edge of the body may be held in open position by ahoop 34 of metal or plastic, the hoop being enclosed in the upper edge 32, as-in FIGURE 2. The side edges of the body panel 14 are joined to the end panels 2t? by inner tapes 36 and outer tapes-38, which overlap the adjacent edges and are secured by further stitching 26. For additional strength and appearance the outer tapes 38 are overlaid by decorative edging 40 also stitched in place. The upper periphery of the body assembly is surrounded by a decorative band 42 which conceals the edge of lining 30 and the transition of the handle portion 18 to end panels 20.

The lid panel 16 is cut from wire screen to correspond substantially to the shape of hoop 34, to cover the upper opening of the body, said lid panel having an integral flap portion 44 extending downwardly over the body panel 14. For rigidity, the lid panel 16 is provided with a correspondingly shaped stifiener plate 46 covered on both sides by an inner liner 48 and an outer liner 50, preferably of material to match the lining 3t). The inner liner 48 has a return folded edge 52 enclosing the edge of the stiffener plate 46 and also concealing the edge of the wire screen lid panel 16, the folded edge being covered by decorative edging 54 secured to the entire periphery of the lid panel and flap portion 44 by stitching 26. The lid panel 16 is attached to the body panel 14 by a hinge 56 secured by any suitable means, a conventional type of hinge being illustrated. Other hinge arrangements may be used, such as rings, flexible straps, or the like. The flap portion 44 is provided with a grommet 58 which fits over a pivoted catch 60 secured to the body panel 14 by a small mounting plate 62, the type of catch being well known.

The material from which the various panels are made is conventional wire screen or woven wire cloth, which may be of the open mesh type or plastic filled, both being readily available. The wire screen is easy to form, will hold shapes well, and is suificiently rigid to withstand considerable handling and, due to its open, woven construction, can be assembled or have other elements attached thereto by simple stitching.

A further example of the use of the panel structure is illustrated in FIGURES 7-9, in which a single elongated panel is used to make a belt 72. Both longitudinal edges of panel 70 are dipped in rubber or plastic to form protective sheaths 74, which are then covered by edge binding 76, over which decorative edging 7 8 is applied if desired. In addition, a central decorative band may be secured to the panel 70, extending longitudinally between the edges, or various other decorative elements such as beads, artificial flowers, or the like may be attached. The ends of the belt 72 have return folded portions 82;, one end holding a hook type buckle 84 and the other a retaining loop 86 to fasten the belt. Other types of clasps or buckles may be used as desired. As before, all assembly is made by stitching as indicated at 88, either manually or by machine.

It will be evident that wire screen panels may be made in many diiferent shapes to make various types of purses or belts, or even hats, collars, cuffs and other articles of apparel. In all instances, the cut edges of the Wire screen are bound with edging tape which covers the ends of the wires and also simplifies attachment of other elements. Further, critical areas of the wire screen edges are protected by rubber or plastic sheaths for additional safety. The materials used are inexpensive, readily available and easy to cut and assemble, the decorative tapes and like elements being obtainable in a large variety of sizes and designs.

The operation of this invention will be clearly comprehended from a consideration of the foregoing description of the mechanical details thereof, taken in connection with the drawings and the above recited objects. It will be obvious that all said objects are amply achieved by this invention.

it is understood that minor variation from the form of the invention disclosed herein may be made without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and

that the specification and drawings are to be considered a as merely illustrative rather than limiting.

I claim:

1. Panel structure for a purse, comprising: a body panel of wire screen material folded to form a hollow body having an open upper portion; a strap panel of wire screen material; said strap panel having a handle portion and end panels unitary therewith; said end panels being marginally secured to the edges of said body panel to enclose the ends of the body; a sheath of plastic material applied to the longitudinal edges of said handle portion; edge binding covering said plastic material and stitched to and enclosing the longitudinal edges of said handle portion; said handle portion extending over said hollow body.

2. Panel structure for a purse, comprising: a body panel of wire screen material folded to form a hollow body having an open upper portion; a strap panel of wire screen material; said strap panel having a handle portion and end panels unitary therewith; said end panels being marginally secured to the edges of said body panel to enclose the ends of the body; edge binding stitched to and enclosing the longitudinal edges of said handle portion; edge binding material stitched to and enclosing the joined edges of said end panels and body panel; a substantially rigid hoop secured to the open upper portion of said body panel; a lid panel of wire screen material pivotally attached to said body panel to cover the open portion thereof; and edge binding secured to and enclosing the periphery of said lid panel.

3. A purse comprising:

a body panel of wire screen material configured to form a hollow body having an open upper portion;

a strap panel of wire screen material, said strap panel having a handle portion and end panels unitary therewith, the edges of said end panels being contiguous with the side edges of said body panel;

edge binding tape stitched to and enclosing said contiguous edges of said body panel and said strap panel and enclosing the longitudinal edges of said handle portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 269,802 Loeb Dec. 26, 1882 723,961 Whittlesey "1 Mar. 31, 1903 1,050,216 H011 Jan. 14, 1913 1,074,904 Smith Oct. 7, 1913 1,354,579 Rowan Oct. 5, 1920 1,515,056 Lederer Nov. 11, 1924 1,649,976 Pomeranz Nov. 22, 1927 1,744,177 Schuler Jan. 21, 1930 1,808,375 Plooster June 2, 1931 2,017,014 Pink Oct. 8, 1935 2,655,664 Ramos Oct. 20, 1953 2,665,754 Claussen et al. Jan. 12, 1954 

1. PANEL STRUCTURE FOR A PURSE, COMPRISING: A BODY PANEL OF WIRE SCREEN MATERIAL FOLDED TO FORM A HOLLOW BODY HAVING AN OPEN UPPER PORTION; A STRAP PANEL OF WIRE SCREEN MATERIAL; SAID STRAP PANEL HAVING A HANDLE PORTION AND END PANELS UNITARY THEREWITH; SAID END PANELS BEING MARGINALLY SEC URED TO THE EDGES OF SAID BODY PANEL TO ENCLOSE THE ENDS OF THE BODY; A SHEATH OF PLASTIC MATERIAL APPLIED TO THE LONGITUDINAL EDGES OF SAID HANDLE PORTION; EDGE BINDING COVERING SAID PLASTIC MATERIAL AND STITCHED TO AND ENCLOSING THE LONGITUDINAL EDGES OF SAID HANDLE PORTION; SAID HANDLE PORTION EXTENDING OVER SAID HOLLOW BODY. 